DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT OF INTENT.

This documentary was all about getting to understand my mother at one of the most pivotal moments in her life.

I wanted to understand what drives the generations before us to make the choices they make, starting from a position of love and compassion, rather than judgement. This meant allowing my mother to shape the narrative and form of the documentary by conceding some of the creative control we typically enjoy as directors.

Many of the experimental aspects of the film, including animation and poetry, and even the archival footage that was used, were created with Hina - intended to reflect her own internal sentiments and experiences.

This is because I never intended to simply document my mother. My aim was to discover more about the worlds of the women who came before me - women who tick so many boxes and yet fit into none.

Through her story, I ended up discovering a remarkable endurance - one that transcended both culture and identity. And it is this quality that gave the film it’s namesake: Sahan Shakti - सहनशक्ति